Fire protection system

ABSTRACT

A fire protection system for an automated warehouse includes a roof mounted high-expansion foam generator and a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movement therewith. Upon a sensing of a fire by a fire sensing means, a signal is sent to a central control means to indicate the presence and location of the fire. The control means then effects movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of the foam generator mounted on the stacker crane when it reaches the location of the fire. If the foam generator mounted in the stacker crane fails to extinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval, the central control means will effect actuation of the roof mounted foam generator to inundate the warehouse with foam to extinguish the fire. The stacker crane also includes a self-contained fire extinguishing system for extinguishing fire that might occur within the stacker crane.

United States Patent 3,438,445 4/1969 MacCracken.....- 3.520.345 7/1970Lillibridgcetah.

Primary Examinr- Lloyd L. King Asxislan/ Examiner- Reinhold W. ThicmeAttorney-Yount and Tarolli ABSTRACT: A fire protection system ,for anautomated warehouse includes a roof mounted high-expansion foamgenerator and a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker cranefor movement therewith. Upon a sensing of a fire by afire sensing means,a signal is sent to a central control means to indicate the presence andlocation of the fire. The control means then effects movement of thestacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of thefoam generator mounted on the-stacker crane when it reaches the locationof the fire. 1f the foam generator mounted in the stacker crane fails toextinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval, the centralcontrol means will effect actuation of the roof mounted foam-generatorto'inundate the warehouse with foam to extinguish the fire. The stackercrane also includes a self-contained fire extinguishing system forextinguishing fire that might occur within the stacker crane.

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a fireprotection system for extinguishing fires in an automated high-risewarehouse.

The increased utilization of high-rise automated warehouses presents aproblem of providing adequate protection against fires. The use ofincreased storage rack heights within the warehouse may cause updraftsand chimney effects between the storage racks during a fire. Theupdrafts and chimney effects make it very difficult for a spray of waterto reach the source of the fire. As a result, conventional sprinklersystems are inadequate for providing fire protection in high-risewarehouses.

High-expansion foam generators are operable to provide fire protectionin high-rise warehouses. However, known highexpansion foam generatorsystems suffer from the disadvantage that during the occurrence of asmall fire theyv needlessly inundate the entire warehouse with foam.Therefore, the problem still remains of providing means which is capableof extinguishing both large and small fires in a highrise warehousewithout overreaction and needless destruction and interruption ofwarehouse activity in response to a small fire.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved fire protection system for a highrise warehouse to provideadequate fire protection to the warehouse and its contents whileovercoming the hereinabove discussed disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfire protection system. for use in a high-rise automated warehousewherein high-expansion foam generating means are movable to the locationof a fire for effecting extinguishment of the fire without causingunnecessary damage to portions of the warehouse not affected by thefire.

A further object of the present invention is-to provide a new andimproved fire protection system as defined in the next preceding objectfurther including fixed high-expansion foam generating means operable toextinguish a fire in the warehouse only in the event that the fire isnot extinguished by the movable foam generating means after apredetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfire protection system for use in a high-rise warehouse having a stackercrane for moving goods in the warehouse and a central control means forcontrolling the stacker crane and wherein a high-expansion foamgenerating means is mounted on the stacker crane and the control meansis operable to effect movement of the stacker crane to a fire and toeffect operation of the foam generating means at the fire.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved fire protection system as defined in the next preceding objectwherein fire sensing means are located throughout the warehouse to sensethe occurrence and location of a fire and to relay this information tothe central control means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide new andimproved fire protection system asdefined in the next preceding objectfurther including high-expansion foam generating means located on theroof of the warehouse and wherein the central control means is operableto actuate the roof mounted foam generator if the continued presence ofa fire is sensed by the fire sensors after a predetermined time intervalafter the actuation of foam generator on the stacker crane.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfire protection system for a warehouse including fixed high-expansionfoam generating means secured to the warehouse and and movablehigh-expansion foam generating means mounted on a stacker crane in thewarehouse.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved fire protection system for a warehouse including ahigh-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movementtherewith, fire sensing means located in the high-rise storage rack forsensing the presence of a fire, a central control means operable todirect the stacker crane to the location of fire and toactuate thehigh-expansion foam generator after receiving a signal from the firesensing means indicative of the presence and location of a fire andwherein the stacker crane further includes heat sensing means to enablethe stacker crane to seek out the 'fire when it reaches the generallocation thereof.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon a reading of the following description takenin conjunction with accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration depicting the floor plan of awarehouse in which the present invention is utilized;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the warehouse of HO. 1, illustratinga stacker crane upon which a high-expansion foam generator is mountedand a high-expansion foam generator mounted on the roof of thewarehouse; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the high-expansion foam generatormounted on the stacker crane of FIG. 2.

The present invention provides a fire protection system adapted to beutilized'in association with a stacker crane in a warehouse. The fireprotection system includes a high-expansion foam generator mounted on astacker crane for movement relative to bins or storage racks in thewarehouse. A plurality of heat or fire sensing devices are disposedthroughout the warehouse and upon the occurrence of a fire are operableto send a signal to a central control means indicating the presence andlocation of the fire. The controlmeans then effects movement of thestacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of thefoam generator to extinguish the fire. in the event that the fire is notextinguished by the foam from the foam generator on the stacker crane,the heat sensors will indicate the continuing presence of a fire to thecentral control means. The central control means then effects actuationof a high-expansion foam generator mounted on the roof of the warehouseto further assist in extinguishment offthe fire.

An automated warehouse 10 having a plurality of high-rise storage racksor bins 12 therein is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. Movement ofgoods stored in the warehouse is effected by a plurality of stackerunits or cranes 14, (see the conventional 2). The stacker cranes 14 arecontrolled by a central control means l6-(see FIG. I) which ispreferably in the form of a computer. Goods that are delivered to thewarehouse for storage therein are delivered ,at a receiving .area 18.Upon delivering of goods to be stored,the central control 16 effectsmovement of one or more of the stacker cranes .14 to the receiving area18 to pick up the goods. The cranes 14 are then ordered to store thegoods in a specific portion of the storage racks 12 designated by thecontrol means [6. When it is desired to remove goods from thewarehouse,- an order requestingthe specific goods that are to be removedis communicated to the control means 16. In response to the order forgoods, the control means 16 effects movement of a stacker crane 14 tothe rack where the specific goods are stored. The stacker crane 14 isthen ordered to remove the goods and transport them to a delivery area20 wherein the goods may be loaded on suitable vehicles to-transportthem to theirdestinain the storageracks 12. A suitable power source,such as a motor 31, is disposed within the body portion 30 and isoperable to effect movement of the stacker crane l4 and the liftplatform .28.

Each stackertcrane l4 includes an individual control means, such as thecomputer unit 24, for controlling movement of the stacker crane 14. Thecomputer unit 24 is in communication with the central control means 16and is operable to receive orders therefrom and to control of thestacker crane 14 in response to these orders. The communication betweenthe control unit 24 and the central control 16 may be accomplished invarious ways such as a radio communication or electrol means 24 on thestacker cranes 14 receives the order and effects-operation of thestacker crane to perform the ordered function. It should be understoodthat the individual control means 24 will be operable to start and stopthe stacker crane 14, raise and lower the lift platform 28, and controlvarious other mechanisms in the crane to effect perfonnance of ordersfrom the central control means 16.

A suitable fire extinguishing system 21 for providing protection againstfires in the mechanism of the stacker crane 14 is provided. Whilenumerous types of fire extinguishing means may be utilized, preferably aplurality of carbon dioxide fire extinguishing units 22 will be used.The fire extinguishing units are suitably connected to a plurality ofheat or fire sensors 26 which are disposed throughout the internalmechanism of the stacker crane 14. The sensors 26 are operable to sensethe 1 presence of a fire within the mechanism of the stacker unit 14.

In the event of a fire in the mechanism the sensors26 automaticallyeffect energization of the carbon dioxide extinguishing system forprotection of the stacker crane 14 and extinguishment of the fire.

Upon energization of the fire extinguishing system 21, caused by thepresence of a fire sensed by the sensor 26, deenergization of thestacker crane 14 will automatically be effected. ln addition, a signalwill be sent from the control 24 to the central control means 16 tonotify the central control 16 of the presence of a fire in the stackercrane 14. The central control unit will then order the stacker crane 14to precede to a check point so that necessary repairs can be made;

Each'of the stacker'cranes 14 also includea high-expansion foamgenerator 34 mounted thereon for the extinguishment of fires within thewarehouse 10. The high-expansion foam generator 34 may preferably be ofthe type manufactured by WalterKidde and Company Inc. of Delleville, NewJersey. The high-expansion foam generators 34 are operable to inundatethe local area of the fire with bubbles or foam in minutes to extinguisha tire with relatively small damage to the goods or building from thefoam.

In general terms, the high-expansion foam generator 34 works by sprayinga metal screen uniformly with water mixed with a foam concentrate. Airis then blown by a fan through the wetted screen to form bubbles orfoam. The foam preferably has an expansion ratio of 1000 to l whichmeans that 1 gallon of water can produce I000 gallons of foam. Of courseother expansion ratios could be used.

A typical high-expansion foam generator34, illustrated in FIG. 3,includes a screen or net 50 and a plurality of spray nozzles 52. Anelectrical control unit 54 on the stacker crane 14 isoperable inresponse to a signal from the central control means 16 to initiateoperation of a pump 56 to pump water and concentrate from a tank 58 onthe stacker crane 14 to the nozzles 52. The nozzles 52 direct the waterconcentrate onto tends to cool the burning surface and extinguish thefire. Thirdly, when the foam reaches the fire much of the water turns tosteam. Thus, it should be realized that high-expansion foam is veryeffective incontrolling fires. Moreover, the foam is capable of movingaround and up over any obstacles to seek out and smother a fire. Racksor goods stored therein do not block the foam from reaching a fire.Therefore the foams ability to penetrate inaccessible places gives it avast advantage over the sprinkling systems which have heretofore beenused in warehouses.

Thehigh-rise storage racks 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 include a pluralityof heat sensing or fire detecting devices 36. The heat sensors 36 areoperable to detect the presence of a fire within or near the storageracks 12. If desired, a plurality of heat sensors 36 may also bedisposed throughout the interior of the warehouse 10 to provide adequatemeans for sensing the occurrence of a fire anywhere in the warehouse 10.Preferably, the sensors 36 are operable to sense an increase intemperature in the warehouse which is indicative of a fire. However, itshould be realized that a photoreactive fire sensors or any other firesensing means could also be utilized.

Upon the sensors 36 detecting the occurrence of a fire, a signalindicative of a fire condition and the location of the fire is sent tothe central control means 16. The control means 16 then directs astacker crane 14 or a plurality of stacker cranes to discontinuestacking operations and to go to the location where the heat sensors 36detected the fire. if more than one of the sensors 36 have detected thepresence of a single fire, a

stacker unit 14 will be directed to a'location centrally of theplurality of sensors 36 that have sensed the fire. Moreover, if aplurality of fires have been sensed at different locations, a pluralityof stacker units 14 may be dispensed to the location of the differentfires by the central control 16. If a fire occurs in one of the storageracks 12 a pair of stacker cranes, one on either side of the storagerack 12, could be sent to the location of the fire.

The stacker units 14 preferably include a heat sensing means 38 (seeFIG. 2 which is operable to allow the stacker units 14 to seek out thefire after the control means 16 has directed the stacker crane 14 to thelocation of the fire. Thus, if a plurality of sensors 36 have reacted toa single fire, the heat sensing means 38 will'allow the stacker unit 14to home in on the seat or source of the fire. The sensor 38 isadvantageously mounted on the lift platform 28 and is connected with thecontrol unit 24. The control unit 24 is operable to raise or lower thelift platform 28 in accordance with a signal from the sensor 38 toposition the lift platform adjacent to the source of the tire.

Suitable means such as the flexible conduit 40 can be used to direct thefoam at the specific location of the fire when the heat sensing means 38has caused the stacker crane 14 to home-in on the fire. The flexibleconduit 40 may be suitably connected for movement with the lift platform28. Thus, if a fire occurs at a portion high up in the racks 12 the heatsensing means 38 will send signals to the control unit 24 to raise thelift platform 28 to aim the flexible conduit 40 at the source of thefire. However, if the fire is in a lowermost portion of the racks 12,the heat sensing means 38, will send signals which will effect alowering of the lift platform 28 and the flexible conduit 40. When thestacker crane 14 and the flexible conduit 40 have homed-in on the fire,the control means 16 will activate the high-expansion foam generator 34to effectively inundate the area of the fire with foam. it should berealized that the high-expansion foam generator 34 will inundate a smallarea as compared to the total area of the warehouse and thus, needlessdestruction or damage of equipment or goods will be prevented as thefoam will be limited to the area of the fire.

While a flexible conduit 40 has been shown for directing the foam fromthe high-expansion foam generator 34, means can be provided so that thefoam is dispensed directly from a portion of the high-expansion foamgenerator 34. For example, a rotatable spout could easily be utilized todirect the foam in the direction of the fire. Rotation of the spoutwould be controlled by the heat sensing means 38.

The heat sensing means 36 on the racks 12 will continue to operateduring the occurrence of the fire to continuously inform the controlmeans 16 of the status of the fire. If the heat sensors 36 continue tosense the presence of a fire after the high-expansion foam generator 34is actuated, they will send signals to the central control 16. If thecontrol determines that a predetermined time has passed and that thefire has not been extinguished by the foam generator 34, the control 16will activate a secondary extinguishing means. In the embodiment of theinvention illustrated herein the secondary extinguishing means includesa roof mounted high-expansion foam generator 44, illustrated in FIG. 2.The roof mounted high-expansion foam generator 44 in mounted on the roofof the warehouse in a well-known manner. The high-expansion foamgenerator 44 has a much larger foam production capacity than thehigh-expansion foam generator 34 mounted on the stacker crane 14.

If after the occurrence of a fire, the high-expansion foam generator 34fails to put out the fire within a predetermined time the'computercontrol means 16 will activate the high-expansion foam generator 44.Activation of the high-expansion foam generator 44 will inundate theentire interior of the warehouse with foam to completely extinguish anyfire that might exist therein. The high-expansion foam generator 44 is asecondary extinguishing means and will be only utilized if thehigh-expansion foam generator 34 fails to extinguish the fire. It shouldbe realized that while a single high-expansion foam generator 44 isillustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of high-expansion foam generators maybe utilized depending on the size of the warehouse to be inundated withfoam.

lt should be noted that many modifications and further'controls can beutilized with the present system. For example, upon the occurrence of afire as detected by the sensor 36. the control means 16 may operate analarm to alert people in the building of the fire condition and tonotify the fire department of such a condition. Moreover, the controlmeans 16 may be operable to automatically close wall openings in thewarehouse which must be shut in order to contain the foam dispensed fromthe high-expansion foam generators in the event of a fire. The computer16 can also operate venting facilities which provide for the escape ofair displaced by the foam automatically when the foam is cascaded intothe warehouse from the roof mounted units.

ltshould be apparent from the foregoing that a new fire preventionsystem has been provided wherein a high-expam sion foam generator ismounted on a stacker crane. Sensing means 36 are provided throughout theentire warehouse and when a fire is sensed a signal is sent to a maincomputer 16 which in turn relays the information to the stacker crane14. The stacker crane 14 is then directed to the location of the fireand homing means 38 thereon cause the stacker crane to home-in to theexact location of the fire. The entire capacity of the high-expansionfoam generator 34 is then expended. If the mobile high-expansion foamgenerator 34 on the stacker crane 14 does not extinguish the fire thenthe sensors 36 will continue to send the signal to the control 16 whichwill effect actuation of roof mounted high-expansion foam generators 44to completely inundate the warehouse with foam. Moreover, the stackercranes are provided with a fire extinguishing system which is operableto extinguish fires in the mechanism in the stacker crane.

What is claimed is:

l. A fire protection system for use in association with means for movingmaterials in a warehouse, said system comprising a movablehigh'expansion foam generator means located on said means for movingmaterials and movable therewith, sensing means for detecting theoccurrence of a fire in the warehouse, central control means forreceiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from saidsensing means, means controlled by said central control means foreffecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location ofthe fire in response to said central control means receiving a signalfrom said sensingmeans, and means responsive to a signal from saidcentral control means for initiating operation of said high-expansionfoam generator means at the location of the fire-to extinguish the fire.v,

2. A fire protection-system as defined in'claim 1 further including afixed high-expansion foam generator means for inundating the entirewarehouse with foam if said movable foam generator means fails toextinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval.

3. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1' wherein said sensingmeans are located on storage racks adapted to receive said materialswithin the warehouse.

4. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said centralcontrol means comprises a computeroperable to control the fireprotection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goodsthroughout the warehouse.

5. A fire protection system as defined in claim I wherein said movablefoam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movementtherewith. l

6. A fire protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said stackercrane unit further includes sensing means to enable said stacker unit toseek out the fire when the control means directs the stacker unit to thelocation of the fire.

7. A fire protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said stackerunit further includes a fire extinguishing system thereon forextinguishing fires that may occur within the mechanism of the stackerunit.

8. A fire protection'system for use in association with a stacker cranefor moving materials to and from storage racks in a warehouse, saidsystem comprising high expansion foam generator means located on thestacker crane and movable therewith, control 'means for controllingmovement of the stacker crane relative to the storage racks, and sensingmeans located on the. storage racks for detecting the presence of a fireand providing a signal indicative to said control means of the locationof the fire, said control means being operable to effect movement of thestacker crane to the location of the fire and to effect activation ofsaid high-expansion foam generator means mounted on the stacker crane'toinundate the area of the fire with foam in response to a signalfrom saidsensing means.

9. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8 further includingsecondary high-expansion foam generator means connected to the warehousefor furtherinundating the area of the fire in response to said sensingmeans continuing to detect the presence of a fire after a predeterminedtime of operation of said high-expansion foam generator means located onthe stacker crane.

10. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidhigh-expansion foam generator means includes outlet means for directinga flow of foam and means for effecting movement of said outlet means todirect a flow of foam toward a fire.

l l. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 10 wherein saidoutlet means is operatively connected to a lift-platform of the stackercrane and said means for effecting movement of said outlet meansincludes means for effecting vertical movement of the lift platform.

12. A fire protection system as defined in claim 8 further includingsecond sensing means located on said stacker crane and operable toenable said stacker crane to seek out a source of fire when said stackercrane is directed to the location of the fire by said central controlmeans.

13. A fire protection system as defined in claim l2 further including afire extinguishing system located on said stacker crane for protectingsaid stacker crane.

14. A fire protection system for use in association with means formoving materials in a warehouse, comprising first extinguishing meanslocated on said means for moving materials and movable therewith fromone location to another location in thewarehouse, fire detecting meansfor detecting the occurrence and location of a fire in the warehouse, acentral control means for receiving a signal from said fire detectingmeans indicative of the occurrence and location of a fire and foreffecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location ofthe fire in response to said signal from said fire detecting means.

15. A fire protection system as defined in claim 14 further including asecond fire extinguishing means mounted in a predetermined location inthe warehouse for extinguishing a fire in the warehouse in the eventsaid movable fire extinguishing means fails to extinguish a fire withina predetermined time interval.

l6.'A fire protection system as defined in claim 14 wherein said fireextinguishing means movable from one location in the warehouse toanother location is locatedon a stacker unit,

said stacker unit being operable to effect movement of goods throughoutthe warehouse and said fire extinguishing means being movable therewith.

17. A fire protection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said movablefire extinguishing means comprises a high-expansion foam generator.

18. A fire protection system for use in a storage facility havinghigh-rise storage racks, stacker means for placing goods to be stored onthe racks and retrieving goods to be used from the racks, and controlmeans for controlling the movement of the stacker means, said fireprotection system comprising first high-expansion foam generating meanslocated on the stacker means. heat sensing means operable upon theoccurrence of a fire to send a signal indicative of the presence andlocation of a fire in the storage racks to the control means, saidcontrol means being operable to effect movement of the stacker means tothe location of the fire in response to a signal from said heat sensingmeans, said first high-expansion foam means I being operable when thestacker means reaches the location of the fire to direct foam toward thefire, second high-expansion foam generating means located on the storagefacility and being operable to provide a flow of foam only in the eventthat said heat sensing means senses the presence of a fire apredetermined time interval after initiation of operation of firsthigh-expansion foam generating means.

19. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 18 further includinga fire extinguishing system located on the stacker means forextinguishing fires in the stacker means.

20. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse, said systemincluding a movable high-expansion foam generator means, sensing meansfor detecting the occurrence of a fire in a warehouse, central controlmeans for receiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire fromsaid sensing means, said central control meanscomprising a computeroperable to control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for thedistribution of goods throughout the warehouse, means controlled by saidcentral control means for effecting movement of said foam generator tothe location of the fire in response to a signal from said sensingmeans, and means responsive to a signal from said central control meansfor initiating operation of said foam generator. 4

21. A fire protection system as defined'in claim 20, wherein saidmovable foam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movementtherewith. I

22. A fire protection system as defined in claim 21, wherein saidstacker crane unit further includes sensing means to enable said stackerunit to seek out the fire when the control means directs the stackerunit to the location of the fire.

23. A fire protection system as claimed in claim 21, wherein saidstacker unit further includes a fire extinguishing system thereon forextinguishing fires that may occur within the mechanism of the stackerunit.

24. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse comprises fireextinguishing means movable' from one location to another location inthe warehouse in response to the occurrence of a fire, first firedetecting means for detecting the occurrence and location of a fire inthe warehouse, a central control means for receiving a signal from saidfire detecting means indicative of the occurrence and location of a fireand for effecting movement of said fire extinguishing means to thelocation of the fire In response to sald signal from said fire detectingmeans, said fire extinguishing means being located on a stacker unitoperable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouse.

1. A fire protection system for use in association with means for movingmaterials in a warehouse, said system comprising a movablehigh-expansion foam generator means located on said means for movingmaterials and movable therewith, sensing means for detecting theoccurrence of a fire in the warehouse, central control means forreceiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from saidsensing means, means controlled by said central control means foreffecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location ofthe fire in response to said central control means receiving a signalfrom said sensing means, and means responsive to a signal from saidcentral control means for initiating operation of said high-expansionfoam generator means at the location of the fire to extinguish the fire.2. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 further including afixed high-expansion foam generator means for inundating the entirewarehouse with foam if said movable foam generator means fails toextinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval.
 3. A fireprotection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means arelocated on storage racks adapted to receive said materials within thewarehouse.
 4. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid central control means comprises a computer operable to control thefire protection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goodsthroughout the warehouse.
 5. A fire protection system as defined inclaim 1 wherein said movable foam generator is disposed on a stackercrane unit for movement therewith.
 6. A fire protection system asdefined in claim 5 wherein said stacker crane unit further includessensing means to enable said stacker unit to seek out the fire when thecontrol means directs the stacker unit to the location of the fire.
 7. Afire protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said stacker unitfurther includes a fire extinguishing system thereon for extinguishingfires that may occur within the mechanism of the stacker unit.
 8. A fireprotection system for use in association with a stacker crane for movingmaterials to and from storage racks in a warehouse, said systemcomprising high-expansion foam generator means located on the stackercrane and movable therewith, control means for controlling movement ofthe stacker crane relative to the storage racks, and sensing meanslocated on the storage racks for detecting the presence of a fire andproviding a signal indicative to said control means of the location ofthe fire, said control means being operable to effect movement of thestacker crane to the location of the fire and to effect activation ofsaid high-expansion foam generator means mounted on the stacker crane toinundate the area of the fire with foam in response to a signal fromsaid sensing means.
 9. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8further including secondary high-expansion foam generator meansconnected to the warehouse for further inundating the area of the firein response to said sensing means continuing to detect the presence of afire after a predetermined time of operation of said high-expansion foamgenerator means located on the stacker crane.
 10. A fire protectionsystem as set forth in claim 8 wherein said high-expansion foamgenerator means includes outlet means for directing a flow of foam andmeans for effecting movement of said outlet means to direct a flow offoam toward a fire.
 11. A fire protection system as set forth in claim10 wherein said outlet means is operatively connected to a lift platformof the stacker crane and said means for effecting movement of saidoutlet means includes means for effecting vertical movement of the liftplatform.
 12. A fire protection system as defined in claim 8 furtherincluding second sensing means located on said stacker crane andoperable to enable said stacker crane to seek out a source of fire whensaid stacker crane is directed to the location of the fire by saidcentral control means.
 13. A fire protection system as defined in claim12 further including a fire extinguishing system located on said stackercrane for protecting said stacker crane.
 14. A fire protection systemfor use in association with means for moving materials in a warehouse,comprising first extinguishing means located on said means for movingmaterials and movable therewith from one location to another location inthe warehouse, fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence andlocation of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means forreceiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of theoccurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of saidmeans for moving materials to the location of the fire in response tosaid signal from said fire detecting means.
 15. A fire protection systemas defined in claim 14 further including a second fire extinguishingmeans mounted in a predetermined location in the warehouse forextinguishing a fire in the warehouse in the event said movable fireextinguishing means fails to extinguish a fire within a predeterminedtime interval.
 16. A fire protection system as defined in claim 14wherein said fire extinguishing means movable from one location in thewarehouse to another location is located on a stacker unit, said stackerunit being operable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouseand said fire extinguishing means being movable therewith.
 17. A fireprotection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said movable fireextinguishing means comprises a high-expansion foam generator.
 18. Afire protection system for use in a storage facility having high-risestorage racks, stacker means for placing goods to be stored on the racksand retrieving goods to be used from the racks, and control means forcontrolling the movemenT of the stacker means, said fire protectionsystem comprising first high-expansion foam generating means located onthe stacker means, heat sensing means operable upon the occurrence of afire to send a signal indicative of the presence and location of a firein the storage racks to the control means, said control means beingoperable to effect movement of the stacker means to the location of thefire in response to a signal from said heat sensing means, said firsthigh-expansion foam means being operable when the stacker means reachesthe location of the fire to direct foam toward the fire, secondhigh-expansion foam generating means located on the storage facility andbeing operable to provide a flow of foam only in the event that saidheat sensing means senses the presence of a fire a predetermined timeinterval after initiation of operation of first high-expansion foamgenerating means.
 19. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 18further including a fire extinguishing system located on the stackermeans for extinguishing fires in the stacker means.
 20. A fireprotection system for use in a warehouse, said system including amovable high-expansion foam generator means, sensing means for detectingthe occurrence of a fire in a warehouse, central control means forreceiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from saidsensing means, said central control means comprising a computer operableto control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for thedistribution of goods throughout the warehouse, means controlled by saidcentral control means for effecting movement of said foam generator tothe location of the fire in response to a signal from said sensingmeans, and means responsive to a signal from said central control meansfor initiating operation of said foam generator.
 21. A fire protectionsystem as defined in claim 20, wherein said movable foam generator isdisposed on a stacker crane unit for movement therewith.
 22. A fireprotection system as defined in claim 21, wherein said stacker craneunit further includes sensing means to enable said stacker unit to seekout the fire when the control means directs the stacker unit to thelocation of the fire.
 23. A fire protection system as claimed in claim21, wherein said stacker unit further includes a fire extinguishingsystem thereon for extinguishing fires that may occur within themechanism of the stacker unit.
 24. A fire protection system for use in awarehouse comprises fire extinguishing means movable from one locationto another location in the warehouse in response to the occurrence of afire, first fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence andlocation of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means forreceiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of theoccurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of saidfire extinguishing means to the location of the fire in response to saidsignal from said fire detecting means, said fire extinguishing meansbeing located on a stacker unit operable to effect movement of goodsthroughout the warehouse.